Paper guide structure

ABSTRACT

Paper guide structure comprising an arcuate deflector having a window therein and a serrated edge. The deflector is mounted for swinging toward and away from a roller platen. The deflector extends part way around the platen and the window provides access for printing means to contact a paper strip disposed between the deflector and the platen.

United States Patent Carlo Bellis Stambino, Turin. Italy 757,839

Sept. 6, 1968 June 1, 1971 Ing. C. Olivetti & C. S. p. A. Ivrea, Turin,Italy Sept. 6, 1967 Italy Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented AssigneePriority PAPER GUIDE STRUCTURE 2 Claims, 1 Drawing Fig.

u.s.c1 197/127, 19711334., 197/13311, 197/143 Int. Cl B41j 13/00FieldofSearch 197/126, 127,133,134,13s,13s.5,143

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 442,633 12/1890 Merritt197/143X 1,250,883 12/1917 Hoyt 197/133 1,268,521 6/1918 Wernery 197/1271,273,338 7/1918 Ebelhare 197/138X 1,319,430 10/1919 Spiro 197/1431,325,681 12/1919 Rinsche 197/127 1,997,077 4/1935 Racz et a1. 197/1273,391,775 7/1968 Frobel 197/138X Primary Examiner-Ernest T. Wright, Jr.Attorney-Birch, Swindler, McKie & Beckett ABSTRACT: Paper guidestructure comprising an arcuate deflector having a window therein and aserrated edge. The deflector is mounted for swinging toward and awayfrom a roller platen. The deflector extends part way around the platenand the window provides access for printing means to contact a paperstrip disposed between the deflector and th platen.

PATENTEU JUN nan PAPER GUIDE STRUCTURE CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATEDAPPLICATION Applicant claims priority from corresponding Italian Pat.application Ser. No. 5293 l-A/67, filed Sept. 6, 1967.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to structure for guiding the paper strip in a printing devicehaving a roller platen and printing means in the nature of a series oftype carrying members, (e.g., an adding-listing machine). In particular,the structure comprises a deflector on which bail rollers are rotatablymounted for pressing the paper resiliently against the platen.

2. Description of the Prior Art Normally, in known adding machines ofthe above-mentioned type, thepaper is guided by the deflector and thebail rollers which can be withdrawn from the platen manually be means ofa lever, whilst the cutter is fixed to a second deflector situatedabov'the platen, which results in a costly construction. In order toinsert the paper it is necessary to guide it between the platen and thecutter so that the operation requires a relatively long time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing and other inconveniences areobviated by the invention which broadly provides paper guide structurefor a printing device having a roller platen and printing means in thenature of a series of type carrying members for printing on a paperstrip against the platen (e.g., an adding-listing machine). Thestructure comprises an arcuate deflector having a window therein and aserrated edge The deflector is mounted for movement toward and away fromthe platen with the deflector extending part way around the platen, withthe window disposed adjacent the printing means facilitating printing ona strip of paper disposed between the deflector and the platen, and withthe serrated edge disposed substantially parallel to the axis ofrotation of the platen to facilitate tearing of the printed strip. Thedeflector is biased toward the platen and is provided-with papercontacting means such as bail rollers, for holding the strip of papertightly against the platen. An intermediate portion of the serrated edgeis free from serrations permitting manual engagement to shift thedeflector and the bail rollers to thereby withdraw the latter from theplaten to facilitate insertion of the paper strip. The nonserratedportion is not of such length as to inhibit the cutting action of theedge. I

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will be described in moredetail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing,in which the sole FIGURE is a perspective view from the rear and oneside of part of a printing device in the nature of an adding-listingmachine which includes paper guide structure according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing, theadding machine comprises a roller platen 2 fixed to a shaft 3 slidablein the front-to-rear direction of the machine in two slots 4 formed intwo fixed side members 5 of the frame of the machine. On shaft 3 arepivoted two levers 6 which are pivotally connected to two levers 7 and 8fixed on a shaft 9 rotatable in the fixed frame of the machine. Lever 7has a pin 10 normally urged by a spring 11 against a cam 12 fixed to amain shaft 13 which rotates cyclically in the anticlockwise directionindicated.

In front of platen 2 is disposed printing means in the nature of aseries of type carrying members constituted by print wheels 14 rotatableon a fixed axle 15. Each wheel 14 is unitary with a pinion 16 inengagement with a corresponding rack 17 movable cyclically in thevertical direction for effecting the calculating operations.

The device for guiding the usual paper strip on which are to be printeddetails of the calculations, comprises a deflector 18 cut and pressedfrom sheet metal, which passes underneath platen 2 and has a pair ofelongated longitudinally aligned pivot elements 19 which projectoutwardly of deflector 18 on respective opposite sides thereof insubstantial parallelism with the axis .of rotation of platen 2. Elements19 are received in respective slots 20 in side members 5, slots 20 beingelongated toward and away from wheels 14. Deflector 18 has two apertures21, each terminating externally in a perforated lug 22. A shaft 23 isfixed between lugs 22 and on this are freely mounted two bail rollers 24which bear against platen 2 through apertures 21 and are free to rotateabout an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of platen 2.

Deflector 18 extends part way around platen 2 and upwardly in front ofthe latter. Deflector 18 also has a window 25 disposed adjacent wheels14 through which the latter effect the printing, 2, platen 2, of a paperstrip disposed between deflector l8 and platen 2. Deflector 18 is alsoprovided with a beveled and serrated upper edge 26 which issubstantially parallel to the axis of rotation of platen 2 and whichconstitutes a cutter for tearing off the paper strip. Edge 26 has acentral portion 27 without serrations by means of which deflector 18 canbe manipulated. Nonserrated portion 27 is beveled and is not of suchlength as to inhibit the cutting action provided by upper edge 26, themajor portion of which is serrated.

Finally, deflector 18 has two shoulders 28 adapted to cooperate with twoprojections 29 on levers 6 and two side members 30, each of which has avertical slot 31 in which shaft 3 engages. Each side member 30 has adownwardly projecting arm 32 linked to the corresponding lever 6 by aspring 33. The springs 33 bias deflector 18 toward platen 2 and into therest position shown in the drawing with bail rollers 24 resiliently heldagainst platen 2.

The elements 19 and the slots 20 comprise pivot structure mountingdeflector 18 for swinging about an axis parallel to the axis of rotationof platen 2. This pivot structure is disposed on the opposite side ofplaten 2 from edge 26. Further, elements 19 are shiftable longitudinallyof slots 20 to permit deflector 18 to shift toward and away from wheels14 with platen 2.

The operation of the device is as follows:

During each rotation of shaft 13, cam 12 rotates levers 7 and 8anticlockwise. Levers7 and 8 thereby push levers 6 forwardly (to therear in the drawing), causing shaft 3 to slide in slots 4. Thus, platen2 is urged forwardly against wheels 14 to effect printing. Shaft 3 alsopulls deflector 18 forwardly, elements 19 sliding in slots 20.

In order to insert the paper strip around platen 2, a light pressure isexerted by hand on unserrated portion 27 and this lowers cutting edge 26to withdraw bail rollers 24 from platen 2, causing deflector 18 torotate about elements 19 in slots 20 until it is arrested with shoulders28 against projections 29 of levers 6. The end of the paper strip isthen introduced between deflector 18 and platen 2 and portion 27 isreleased. Springs 33then return deflector 18 to the position of thedrawing, by means of which the paper is urged against platen 2 by bailrollers 2 1 and automatically remains behind cutter 26.

Iclaim:

1. A paper guide structure for a printing device having a roller platenand printing means comprising a support frame fixedly mounting saidprinting means,

an arcuate deflector extending part way around said platen having awindow therein disposed adjacent said printing means facilitatingprinting on a strip of paper disposed between said deflector and saidplaten and a serrated edge disposed substantially parallel to the axisof rotation of said platen to facilitate tearing of said printed strip,said platen and said deflector being movably mounted on said supportframe for movement together toward and away from said printing means toeffect said printing,

pivot structure mounting said deflector for swinging about an aXisparallel to the axis of rotation of said platen as to move away fromsaid platen when a strip of paper is to be inserted, said pivotstructure being disposed on the opposite side of said platen from saidedge and comprising a pair of elongated, longitudinally aligned pivotelements projecting outwardly of said deflector on respective oppositesides thereof, and means defining a slot for each of said pivotelements, each of said slots being elongated in a direction toward andaway from said printing means and receiving a respective pivot elementtherein, said elements being pivoted about their mutual longitudinalaxis within said slots and shiftable longitudinally of said slots,

spring means connected to said deflector and biasing said deflectortoward said platen, said deflector having roller means mounted forrotation about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of said platen,said roller means being disposed for holding said strip of paper tightlyagainst said platen,

an intermediate portion of said edge being free from serrations andpermitting manual engagement to swing said deflector and said rollermeans away from said platen by pivoting on said pivot structure, and

stop means to arrest said deflector at the end of said swing.

2. A paper guide structure for a printing device having a roller platenand printing means comprising an arcuate deflector having a windowdisposed adjacent to said printing means for printing through saidwindow upon a strip of paper interposed between said deflector and saidplaten,

a pivot structure having a shiftable pivot axis parallel to the axis ofsaid platen mounting said deflector for compound arcuate movement aboutsaid shiftable pivot axis between a first position in juxtaposition tosaid platen and a second position outwardly spaced from said platen,said shiftable pivot axis being spaced from said axis of rotation ofsaid platen and projecting on the opposite side of said platen from saidprinting means, whereby said strip of paper can be inserted between saidplaten and said deflector when said deflector is in said secondposition,

spring means biasing said deflector toward said first position,

a support frame including a pair of stationary plates perpendicular tothe axis of rotation of said platen,

a pair of end shafts secured to said platen on its axis of rotation,

a first pair of elongated slots in said pair of plates receiving saidend shafts whereby said platen is shiftable in said first pair ofelongated slots with respect to said printing means between a restposition wherein said strip of paper is spaced from said printing meansand a printing position wherein said strip of paper is placed in contactwith said printing means, said platen being biased toward said restposition,

a second pair of elongated slots in said pair of plates receiving saidpivot structure whereby said deflector is shiftable in said second pairof elongated slots,

lever means connected to said shifts and operable for positively movingsaid platen and said deflector to said printing position against saidbias, and

stop means carried by said lever means and abutted by said deflectorwhen in said second position.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. S 581,861 Dated June 1, 1971 Inventor s) C arlo Bellis It is certified thaterror appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 19, "printing, 2, platen 2" should read printing,

against platen 2,

Signed and sealed this 7th day of March 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents FORM po'wso USCOMM-DC wan-P09 UTE GOV ERNNENT PRINTINGOF'lCE! 9B9 0-366-13

1. A paper guide structure for a printing device having a roller platenand printing means comprising a support frame fixedly mounting saidprinting means, an arcuate deflector extending part way around saidplaten having a window therein disposed adjacent said printing meansfacilitating printing on a strip of paper disposed between saiddeflector and said platen and a serrated edge disposed substantiallyparallel to the axis of rotation of said platen to facilitate tearing ofsaid printed strip, said platen and said deflector being movably mountedon said support frame for movement together toward and away from saidprinting means to effect said printing, pivot structure mounting saiddeflector for swinging about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation ofsaid platen as to move away from said platen when a strip of paper is tobe inserted, said pivot structure being disposed on the opposite side ofsaid platen from said edge and comprising a pair of elongated,longitudinally aligned pivot elements projecting outwardly of saiddeflector on respective opposite sides thereof, and means defining aslot for each of said pivot elements, each of said slots being elongatedin a direction toward and away from said printing means and receiving arespective pivot element therein, said elements being pivoted abouttheir mutual longitudinal axis within said slots and shiftablelongitudinally of said slots, spring means connected to said deflectorand biasing said deflector toward said platen, said deflector havingroller means mounted for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis ofrotation of said platen, said roller means being disposed for holdingsaid strip of paper tightly against said platen, an intermediate portionof said edge being free from serrations and permitting manual engagementto swing said deflector and said roller means away from said platen bypivoting on said pivot structure, and stop means to arrest saiddeflector at the end of said swing.
 2. A paper guide structure for aprinting device having a roller platen and printing means comprising anarcuate deflector having a window disposed adjacent to said printingmeans for printing through said window upon a strip of paper interposedbetween said deflector and said platen, a pivot structure having ashiftable pivot axis parallel to the axis of said platen mounting saiddeflector for compound arcuate movement about said shiftable pivot axisbetween a first position in juxtaposition to said platen and a secondposition outwardly spaced from said platen, said shiftable pivot axisbeing spaced from said axis of rotation of said platen and projecting onthe opposite side of said platen from said printing means, whereby saidstrip of paper can be inserted between said platen and said deflectorwhen said deflector is in said second position, spring means biasingsaid deflector toward said first position, a support frame including apair of stationary plates perpendicular to the axis of rotation of saidplaten, a pair of end shafts secured to said platen on its axis ofrotation, a first pair of elongated slots in said pair of platesreceiving said end shafts whereby said platen is shiftable in said firstpair of elongated slots with respect to said printing means between arest position wherein said strip of paper is spaced from said printingmeans and a printing position wherein said strip of paper is placed incontact with said printing means, said platen being biased toward saidrest position, a second pair of elongated slots in said pair of platesreceiving said pivot structure whereby said deflector is shiftable insaid second pair of elongated slots, lever means connected to saidshifts and operable for posItively moving said platen and said deflectorto said printing position against said bias, and stop means carried bysaid lever means and abutted by said deflector when in said secondposition.